Welcome to the AC Tropical Fish aquarium forum. Our aquarium forum is the place to discuss any aquarium related issue in a friendly environment. Our aquarium forum welcomes aquarists of all levels from beginners to experts. Please ask a question in the how to section of our forum or read the FAQ section if you have any questions. register to and become a part of our friendly aquarium forum community today.

Note the math. It is tricky for values that aren't 0.5. For example: a 75% W/C is NOT 10 ppm * 0.75 = 7.5 ppm!!! Not correct. It is really 10 ppm - (10 *0.75) = 2.5 ppm left. The 0.5 is a special case that works by simple multi. In a similar fashion, a 25% W/C is 10 ppm - (10 *0.25) = 7.5 ppm left in the tank. Try this method for 0.5 and it still works.

Knowledge is fun(damental)

A 75 gal with eight Discus, fake plants, and a lot of wood also with sand substrate. Clean up crew is down to just two Sterba's Corys. Filters: continuous new water flow; canister w/UV, in-tank algae scrubber!! Finally, junked the nitrate removal unit from hell.

Gas mileage isn't everythingOIIIIIIIOLack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part.Why pretend there are no stupid questions? Actually, There are many stupid questions: "Should I drink this bleach?" Is just one example.
Having said that, Just because it's a stupid question doesn't mean that it shouldn't be asked. It's better to know.A warm beer is better than a cold beer. Because nothing is better than a cold beer, and a warm beer is better than nothing.

Note the math. It is tricky for values that aren't 0.5. For example: a 75% W/C is NOT 10 ppm * 0.75 = 7.5 ppm!!! Not correct. It is really 10 ppm - (10 *0.75) = 2.5 ppm left. The 0.5 is a special case that works by simple multi. In a similar fashion, a 25% W/C is 10 ppm - (10 *0.25) = 7.5 ppm left in the tank. Try this method for 0.5 and it still works.

Oh believe me, if my readings are that bad i automatically vaccum my gravel. the other problem is a full 2.5 bucket in my case is all i can safely carry without chance of dropping it. So i had to do two to three water changes in the same day one after the other to ensure i covered everything.

As an experiment, take a store bought water bottle and test the water in it. If it gives a weird result there is a good chance your test kit may be messed up or expired.

Here is how to check the bottle to see if it is expired.

Each reagent bottle has a Lot # printed
on the bottle. The last four digits are the month and year of
manufacture. Example: Lot # 28A0102. This is a pH reagent manufactured
in January of 2002. Pond Care Wide Range pH, ammonia, High Range pH,
Nitrate, phosphate, Copper, calcium and GH all last for three years.
nitrite and KH will last for four years. Freshwater pH(low range) and
Pond Care Salt Level will last for five years. I would not trust these
kits after they have expired.